Pimlico entrepreneur Frank Fernando has released a new type of smoke burglar alarm

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

An entrepreneur who counts Arab princes among his clientele has invented a burglar alarm which blinds an intruder's senses.

Frank Fernando, head of Stealth Defence, has come up with the Combat 360 system to prevent burglars physically being able to steal from homes.

Working out of a deliberately unmarked office in Churton Street, Pimlico, the 58-year-old saw a gap in the home protection market as reports of crime increase every day. He has just released the security system which fires out a thick barrier of smoke after it is triggered by someone entering a property.

This then means the intruder cannot see anything in the room so hopefully leaves quickly having stolen nothing.

Mr Fernando said: "I kept on hearing about home invasions happening more and more and thought there must be a way to ensure burglars don't have the chance to take personal items, at the same time as ensuring there are no legal repercussions for home-owners.

"We've been trialling the system for a while as we wanted to make sure the smoke is entirely safe for people. It's been certified completely safe to breathe in and does not leave any residue. But, a burglar wouldn't know if it was going to harm them so that adds to the fear factor.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

"The system is also really easy to install which was important for us because people don't want to be faffing around, making sure it works. We will come and install it for you but it is really easy, you just plug it in and it can be triggered after you turn it on or you can set it to text you if there's movement then you can turn it on from your phone, even if you're in a different country.

"The time has come for home invasions and also hotel burglaries to stop and we're hoping Combat 360 will help stop burglars in their tracks."

Mr Fernando is also the owner of Gold Genie, a luxury brand which customises household items, especially iPhones and iPads, with gold-plating and other expensive coverings such as Swarovski crystals. Arab princes and celebrities often visit his office to customise their gadgets.

getwestlondon's Alix Culbertson tried out the Combat 360 system to see if it really did attack four of the five human senses it claims to.

Mr Fernando activated the alarm system by remote control and as soon as I entered the room a small machine hidden behind a radiator cover started quickly emitting a thick white smoke. Within seconds the entire room was filled and I could not see a thing, not even our hand in front of my face.

It was actually quite scary and if I was a burglar with no clue as to what was happening, I think I would get out of there pretty quickly.

Mr Fernando is obviously a quick-thinking entrepreneur who finds a niche in the market and fills it successfully. We will have to wait and see what this Pimlico-based businessman comes up with next.